We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide
Minimum council tax payment?
Allan87
Posts: 465 Forumite
When I was a student I was living with a friend who was claiming JSA. I was the lead tenant so although I was council tax exempt the fact I had a second adult only entitled me to a discount. I have since left university and am currently claiming JSA too but the council still wants payment for the previous period. They are asking for £47/month to clear the debt but this is unaffordable for both of us, I understand my obligation to pay the debt but at that level its not viable - is there a minimum payment they have to accept for low income earners?
0
Comments
-
As you are still on JSA then it's about £3.40 per week.When I was a student I was living with a friend who was claiming JSA. I was the lead tenant so although I was council tax exempt the fact I had a second adult only entitled me to a discount. I have since left university and am currently claiming JSA too but the council still wants payment for the previous period. They are asking for £47/month to clear the debt but this is unaffordable for both of us, I understand my obligation to pay the debt but at that level its not viable - is there a minimum payment they have to accept for low income earners?:footie:
Regular savers earn 6% interest (HSBC, First Direct, M&S) Loans cost 2.9% per year (Nationwide) = FREE money. 0 -
An instalment scheme that clears the debt within the year up to April is usually the target for the Council. Below that and they may well insist on issuing a summons and obtaining a liability order so that they can apply an attachment to benefit and deduct payments at source and at the rate indicated above.
If you're lucky they'll accept an offer of £3.40pw based on your JSA but by following up with enforcement action anyway, they are protecting their interest in the debt in case you stopped paying - and unfortunatley that will add summons costs - which vary between Councils - but in the region of £50 to your bill.0 -
There is no minimum they have to accept although they almost certainly wont go below £3.40 - if an arrangement goes that low its just as easy to issue an Attachment of Benefit Order and take the money straight from JSA/ESA (this is an option at the councils discretion).
Enforcement action is only an option after a Liability Order has been granted to I'd expect that they will apply for one before any variation is made from the statutory instalment scheme.I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 354.4K Banking & Borrowing
- 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 455.4K Spending & Discounts
- 247.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 604K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 178.4K Life & Family
- 261.5K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards